Police forensic experts have been investigating the scene of the incident. Credit: ITV West Country

West Mercia Police says it received reports of of a man "pointing a gun at another motorist" near Junction 8 of the M5 an hour before a fatal incident near Portishead.

At 8.30am yesterday (Wednesday 27 September) we received a report of a man in a vehicle pointing a gun at another motorist near to junction 8 of the M5. The incident was passed on to the Central Motorway Policing Group (CMPG).

The Portbury Hundred has been closed since yesterday morning. Credit: ITV West Country

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable say their thoughts are with the man who died in yesterday's incident on the A369 near Portishead.

In a joint statement, they confirmed the incident is still being investigated.

The Portbury Hundred remains closed to traffic.

Police have also thanked local people for their patience regarding disruption to traffic.

Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and all those involved and affected by yesterday’s incident.

A full investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is underway, and we are working to support this ongoing investigation. At the request of the IPCC, The Portbury Hundred (A369) is still closed as they continue their detailed search of the scene to ensure they capture all of the evidence.

They are very much aware of the disruption their continuing road closure is having on people who live and work in Portishead.

We fully understand just how disruptive this has been for our local communities and their frustration at the amount of time the closure has been in place. Our own Police and Fire staff at Headquarters in Portishead have been similarly affected by the congestion.

The IPCC investigation at the scene must run its course, but at the same time we have impressed upon them the need to open the road as soon as it is possible to do so.

We are very grateful to local people for their patience and understanding and fully appreciate the tremendous inconvenience that this has caused. As soon as there is any news about re-opening the road we will share this with you.

Advertisement

Police have released an update on this morning's incident in which a man died.

Earlier this morning we received calls from concerned members of the public travelling on the M5 who reported they had seen a man in a car with a handgun.
The vehicle left the motorway at junction 19 and officers stopped the car on the A369 known as the Portbury Hundred. Shots were subsequently fired in an incident involving police firearms and a man has died.

– Avon and Somerset Police

Police say they referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and they are now on the scene carrying out an independent investigation.